What is best way to cover everything with only one-umpire?

[jicecone]

The one man system (if there is such a beast),requires a lot of hustle. Period. Im not a fan of working from the mound however, it could have its advantages.

By the way, if you go behind the mound, does it look better if you use an indiclickercounter????????????????????

[Buckeye12]

I worked the good ole one man system tonight...I actually forgot how fun it is* (sarcasm font). It seemd like the players did whatever they could to make it tough tonight. One play I had tonight was no runners on, I'm working behind the plate. Ground ball hit to F6. I anticipate the play at 1B so I try to gain an angle on the play. F6's throw brings F3 off the bag directly towards me and swipes a tag. I try to adjust my angle and lean in when I see this happening but was still didn't have the angle to see if there was a tag or not and I called the runner "safe, no tag." Well, the crowd and the 1B line let me know I booted that one. Though I've read about mechanics on how to work this system, it's tough no matter where you're at on the diamond. I'm just glad that was my last scheduled 1 man game of the season. Hopefully all my partners show up!

[Rich]

Originally posted by TwoBits
Jerry: Nope...this will be my 16th season at different levels, but in all honestly, this is only the 6th season that I've gotten serious about it (I'm 31 years old).

Patrick: Actually, I think most people find the easiest place to call balls and strikes is from the bleachers.

Jim: While I definitely respect your opinion, I still stand by mine.

Buckeye: Thanks for the support. I would like to add that the FED umpire's manual states the same as well.

The FED umpire manual also has the plate umpire cover third on a bases-empty triple in 2-man.

I've lived in 6 different FED states and not one uses the FED manual for FED games. It is (rightfully) ridiculed just about everywhere by umpires with any real training.

Rich

[DaFut]

TwoBits reminds me of a local (to Anchorage) umpire that got fed up with heckles from the stands on balls and strikes. Ump calls time, goes out to the stands and sits down next to the heckler. Calls "Play".

Of course everybody's a bit confused. Heckler says something along the lines of, "what the hell you doing out here? you can't call the game from here"...

Umpire responds, "why not? With what I've heard from you I figured you had the better view!"

Not sure what happened--whether there was actually a pitch or not--but time was called again and the ump got back behind the plate and finished the game in a much quieter atmosphere.

BTW, this story, although credited to a "local ump", may be simply an urban umpire legend...